* France - Camargue : From Arles to the Alpilles

A group trip into the wild and unspoilt countryside of the Camargue, where pink flamingos, bulls and horses cohabit amidst rice fields, salt works and inland water basins, a region where its hard to draw the line between the land and the omnipresent waterways.

4 days / 250 km

Ref: 11B031

Dates

January , February , March , April , May , June , September , October , November , December

D1 Roman Arles (20 km)

Some of Western Europe’s most important Roman remains can be found in Arles. Lunch of the group then a guided tour of the old town. Stroll along the “Boulevard des Lices” in the shade of the plane trees, and along the “porte de Laure” to the heart of the town with its impressive monuments. Dinner of the group and overnight.

D2 Saintes Maries de la Mer (90 km)

Free time to explore the town of Saintes Maries de la Mer, a gypsy place of pilgrimage, then lunch of rhe group. If you prefer, a visit to a local bull farm or “manade” with a local style lunch is an option. Take to the river with a boat trip on the Petit Rhone. A visit to the Ornithological Park of the Pont de Gau is optional. Dinner of the group and overnight.

D3 Aigues-Mortes, Midi Salt Plains and Listel Wines (100 km)

In the days of the Crusades, mediaeval Aigues-Mortes was the point of departure for many a knight heading for Jerusalem. From here take a Tourist Train out to the neighbouring salt marshes, and stop to taste some of the local Listel wines. Dinner of the group and overnight.

D4 Alpilles (40 km)

Leave for the Alpilles, a rugged limestone massif surrounded by olives and vines. Drive past the very windmill referred to by Daudet in his famous “Letters from my Mill”. In the pretty village of Le Paradou tour the “santon” mini-village with its hundreds of lifelike figurines, crafted especially for the Christmas crib. Lunch of the group.